A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 83- Inhibitions

''And I can't believe that Manik had come to my home to offer Mukti's hand in mine'' Abhimanyu said. Nandini and Mukti looked at Manik. ''Sach mein, I never thought Manik would convince Abhimanyu's parents for our marriage'' Mukti said. ''How did you both meet? I mean tumhara love story start kaise hui? I'm curious now" Nandini asked. ''It's a long story, we've actually met when I was in 7th Grade and Mukti was in 6th Grade then'' Abhimanyu said. ''School wale love stories will be cute na, please say it'' Nandini said. ''I joined a new school when I was in 7th Grade and I didn't have notes for all the classes I missed. Aryaman was a class topper and all my teachers said I should collect his notes. He took me home when I asked for his notes. That's when I saw Mukti at her home'' Abhimanyu said looking at her. ''And you know what he did! He took Aryaman's notes and then got photocopies of it. I was just one year younger than Aryaman so I used to take all his notes for next year'' Mukti added.

''I don't know why but I wanted to see Mukti again. Maine saare notes ke photo copies gaayab kar diya aur Aryaman se phir se notes maanga. But this time, I didn't just took copies but requested him if I can write them all. I knew he wouldn't give it to me, isliye school time ke baad roz main iske ghar jaake notes likhta tha. 9 to 4 school mein, phir 4 to 7 iske ghar mein spend karte the hum'' Abhimanyu said. ''Aur pata hi nahi chala ki Abhimanyu kab humare family member ban gaya, he was always there, exams ke time pe group studies, holidays pe khelne ke liye. And just like that, they went to 8th Grade and I was in 7th Grade. He proposed me on my birthday and pata nahi main kya sochke yes bol diya isko'' Mukti said. ''It was all in the destiny Mukti'' Abhimanyu said. ''But Manik was not even there in this story na!'' Nandini asked. ''Manik humare pyaar ke dushman tha, Aryaman would have made it easier when Nyonika aunty and Shrikant uncle found about us. But nahi, Manik ne unko instigate kiya hai'' Abhimanyu said. ''After getting caught at home, 1 year we didn't even see each other's face'' Mukti said.

''Phir Abhimanyu ke ghar pe pata chala aur usko Australia bhej diya gaya tha. Studies were just a reason but Mukti se dhoor rakhne ke liye hi bhej diya. Mujhe laga ye dono dhoor ho gaye tho bhul jayenge but wo yaha aane ke baad bhi wahi pyar hai dono main. But his family were not ready to accept Mukti into a Telugu family'' Manik said. ''If Manik hasn't offered dowry, my parents may not have agreed for our marriage. I feel ashamed of myself to take dowry to marry to love, my Mukti'' Abhimanyu's voice carried that depth. ''It's okay, Mukti and you would also share the equal rights as me and Aryaman in our family'' Manik said. ''I think we should give a break to this break and start the road trip again'' Nandini said giving a break to their emotional story. They started again and as they moved further, the weather has turned chilly. ''Lagta hai baarish hone wala hai'' Abhimanyu said. ''As soon as we reach Mysore, we'll check into a hotel and have some sleep'' Manik said. ''Sona hi hai tho ghar pe so jaate, itni dhoor aana hi kyu?'' Nandini said. 

''You guys were resting all along the journey, main thak gaya hu. I need to rest'' Manik said. ''Then we will go and visit Maharaja's palace and Brindavan gardens today'' Abhimanyu said. As Manik asked, they checked into a hotel and rested for a while. When Mukti and Abhimanyu came out of their room, they saw Manik out of his room, still not ready. ''Manik, if you're going to be this late, we would never cover both Palace and gardens today. Tum jaldi jaake ready ho jao'' Mukti said. ''I'll just be ready in 10 min, Nandini is taking a bath'' Manik replied. ''Then why are you waiting here, you can still get ready, when she is getting ready'' Abhimanyu intervened. ''Guys, you know I don't take much time'' Manik bragged about himself but Abhimanyu signaled Mukti. ''Acha, subah bhi tere hi wajhe se hum late ho gaye'' Mukti said and pushed Manik into his room as Abhimanyu opened the door. In the blink of an eye, Manik found himself inside the room and the door was locked by them. ''Mukti, Abhi open the door'' he banged on the door. ''Both of you, get ready and call us, we're going to the restaurant for a coffee. You both have only 15 minutes'' Abhimanyu said and he heard their foot steps.